Key-fastener.



T. H. AGNEW.

KEY FASTENER.

APPLICATION TILED AUG.26. 1912.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

Tjyzzew.

THOMAS H. AGNEW, 0F SURREY, CALIFORNIA.

KEY-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 26, 1912. Serial N 0. 717,126.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, THOMAS H. AGNEW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Surrey, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in looks, and has for its leading object the provision of an improved device for preventing the twisting of keys by engaging the end of a barrel and for preventing forcing of keys out of locks.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking device which may be readily attached to an ordinary key and which will prevent rotation of said key until released.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simple and efficient device especially adapted for travelers use which may be easily carried in the pocket or traveling bag and which will put the mind of the traveler at ease by assuring him that it is impossible for any one to pick or unlock the lock of his door while my device is in position.

Other objects and advantages of my improved construction will be apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the drawing, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in said construction within the scope of the claim without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my device. Fig. 2 represents a bottom plan view thereof with a key in position. Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the device. Fig. 4 represents a plan view of the blank from which the base plate is formed. Fig. 5 represent-s a similar view of the latch member blank, and Fig. 6 represents a detailed view of the latch spring.

In the drawings, the numeral 3 designates the shank of a key having the customary loop or head 4 on which my device is engaged.

My device comprises a metal blank having the central rearwardly extending lug 5 provided with a lug 6 at each side of the lug 5 and having the reversely bent flanges 7 which extend almost or entirely together as desired to provide a flattened sleeve open at one end and having the lugs 6 bent downward to form closures for its other end. Formed centrally in the plate are a plurality of sockets 8 in longitudinal alinement with each other, while passing through said sockets and secured therein are the depending lugs 9 formed on the flat plate 10 which projects from the plate or sleeve 11.

Passing through the inner end of the plate 10 is the pivot pin 12 which also passes through the flanges 13 of the plate 14 which has an upwardly curving operating tongue 15 for swinging it upon the pivot pin and Patented Apr. 15, 1913. 4

has the central slot 16 formed therein to permit of the flanges 13 moving downward at the sides of the plate 10. Said flanges are provided at their outer lower ends with hook-shaped portions 17 adapted to engage the loop 4 of the key, as shown in Fig. 2, said flanges moving through the slots 18 formed in the central portion of the plate 11 and the slots or recesses 19 formed at the meeting edges of said plate.

To normally swing the plate 14 on its pivot to cause the ends 17 to lie below the bore or passage of the sleeve, I coil around the pivot pin 12 the loops 20 of the spring wire 21 having the loop 22 formed at its rearv end and bearing against the under side of the tongue 15, the ends of said spring wire 21 being engaged in the socket 23 formed in the bar 10.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, the construe tion of my improved device will be readily understood, and it will be seen that when the shank 3 is in position in the lock with its bit 24 at right angles to the keyhole slot, the plate 10 is inserted in the key-hole slot and the device is moved inwardly toward the door until the loop 4 of the key passes rearwardly into the sleeve and is disposed behind and engaged by the hooked flanges 17 the flanges thus engaging the key and preventin the outward movement of the device whi e the engagement of the bit of the key with the lock-prevents outward movement of the. key. At the same time the presence of the plate 10 in the key-hole of the bit and thus absolutely prevents the door from being opened While my device is in position.

It will thus be observed that I have provided a simple, efficient, and practical device which may either be hung up by the lug 5 or may be'earried in the pocket and which Will prove entirely practical and desirable for securing the key in a look.

the head of the key, a latch member pivoted to the end of the bar and having hooked portions depending through slots in the plate to prevent the Withdrawal of the head of the key, and a spring member having one end secured to the first plate and the other bearing against the latch member to move the latter into operative position.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS H. AGNEW.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C. 

